Lakers stepping up defense epitmomizes big things to come

A year has made a difference for the Los Angeles Lakers. Last year, Kobe Bryant was booed, they lost their season-opener to Houston and in their first 17 games they finished one game above average.

In grander schemes, the Lakers are an epitome of the latest invention. Coach Phil Jackson has emphasized defense and they’ve played defense. No questions, the Lakers should be favorites to contend and win the championship, heck they came close to winning last year without stepping up their intensity level on defense.

The Lakers were interested in acquiring Houston’s Ron Artest during the offseason, but after shoving and bumping their way to 96-76 victory in their season-opener against young-rising Portland, illustrated they’ve had enough weapons to defend.

Meanwhile, Portland didn’t blossom, and there wasn’t a showdown between Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden. The game surrounded the Lakers’ defense and by playing defense they proved they’re championship bound.

Last year, everyone criticized the Lakers softness and their lackadaisical intensity on defense. This year, they indicated they can get in your face, shove, bump and bulldoze their way pass Portland, a team known for giving them a tense battle.

Although, Portland is a young team, the Lakers jumped on them from the gate and never gave them an opportunity to take control of the lead. The Lakers are big, fast, and efficient from outside.

Seemingly everything was purple and gold, the showdown everyone anticipated wasn’t the headline. Oden and Bynum didn’t receive any hype, once Oden left after the second quarter with a sprained right foot.

Playing against a physical Lakers’ defense, Oden finished with no points, four missed shots, two missed free throws, five rebounds in 13 min, fizzling is way back to the bench and causing concerns for the Blazers.

Bynum wasn’t a apologue of the game, collecting just eight points, three rebounds in 13 minutes. The showdown was won by Bynum, a climax which wasn’t worth watching. Instead, the Lakers defense was worth watching, and they are definitely worth watching after improving in a weak spot.

The Kobe show appeared in the second half. He made shots as the crowd in purple and gold responded with cheers. He scored 23 points, 17 in the second half, earning his popularity back after winning the MVP trophy, Olympic gold medal and a Finals appearance.

Pau Gasol, didn’t seem soft, scoring 15 points all in the first-half on seven-for-10 shooting, an ostentatious offense that wasn’t perceived last season.

Now, their offense is discerned after the Lakers held Portland to 35 percent shooting and outrebounded them 49-44.

The Lakers aren’t soft, they’re rigid and there’s a great season ahead for them if they continue their strong efforts, which is defending.